SUVs have rapidly become the preferred vehicle of choice for a growing number of aging baby boomers. But which vehicle is the best for seniors in 2024?
A new list revealed the Top 10 best SUVs for senior drivers.
SUVs have alot on their plate these days. Not only do they have to cater to a growing pool of family buyers looking for a mixture of comfort, capability, and technology but also a growing number of seniors who are moving away from sedans and into these vehicles for the final stage of their driving careers.
But which SUV is the right fit for a senior driver and which models are the best at delivering the core essentials that seniors need when they are looking for a SUV that’s the right fit for their needs and their budget?
Familiarity and size are key requirements
Familiarity and the size of the vehicle are two common selling points for senior drivers looking for an SUV model.
When it comes to an SUV that’s the right fit for seniors, size and familiarity are two key cornerstones. Contrary to the old expression “bigger is better” most seniors need a vehicle that’s actually smaller while still having enough room to easily get in and out as well as maneuver around traffic easily. In addition to size, familiarity also plays a prominent part in the buying decision too. If you’re a senior who has spent time with one brand i.e. Toyota, chances are good that you will stick with a Toyota for your next purchase versus switching to an unfamiliar brand.
With those things in mind, the folks at Carbuzz.com have compiled a Top 10 list of SUVs that are the best fit for senior buyers with the publication using their Buzzscore system as a key measuring stick for evaluating each one. We have compiled them in this list which can be seen below.
- Genesis GV70
- Lexus RX
- Cadillac Lyriq
- Volvo XC60
- Genesis GV60
- Mazda CX-90
- Lexus NX
- Mazda CX-50
- Volvo XC40
- Chevrolet Blazer
Foreign brands dominate the list
Foreign brands dominated the list but General Motors took two spots with the Cadillac Lyriq EV and the Chevrolet Blazer.
A noticeable thing that many observers will notice is that this list is dominated by foreign brands with American manufacturers only having two spots on the list (a far cry from the years when Buick and Cadillac were once considered the default brands for people in this age group.) The Genesis GV70 is the best on the list, with Carbuzz citing its strong safety record and above-average warranty coverage as key reasons for getting the top spot. It also doesn’t hurt either that the Genesis offers buyers a balanced mixture of performance and luxury with its understated styling being a compelling alternative to recent BMW and Mercedes offerings.
Meanwhile, the Cadillac Lyriq took third place on the list and is one of only two EVs to earn a spot in the rankings. The publication praised the Lyriq’s all-electric powertrain, its bold styling, and plush materials but admitted that its high price tag and overreliance on technology will not please everyone. The electric powertrain itself can get up to 314 miles of range on a single charge and with many senior drivers usually driving short distances, they won’t need to charge the Lyriq too often. The Genesis GV60 is also on the list for largely the same reasons with range and its strong safety record being two key factors.
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Safety features can only do so much
Safety features have helped improve the odds of avoiding an accident, but seniors still need to be prepared for increased risks when out on the road.
While many of these vehicles offer plenty of advanced safety features, they can only do so much to protect seniors on the road. Statistics data from SeniorLiving.org say that there are currently 37.2 million licensed drivers on the road who are 60 years or older with the number for drivers 70 and older being just as high when other figures are considered. While drivers in this age group are less likely to get into accidents, these drivers have higher underlying risks for accidents due to declines in mental awareness, vision, and hearing.
Many of these drivers also pay higher insurance rates than younger drivers which is partly due to the fact that senior drivers are more prone to fatal injuries than younger drivers due to their advanced age. As such, senior drivers need to know when it’s time to hang up the keys, with many male elderly drivers ending their driving career when they are in their mid-70s though there are some occasions where some seniors choose to stop driving when they are in their 90s (my late Opa being one of them when he chose to stop driving in his mid-90s.)
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